SESSIONS » I.b eHEALTH FOR INDIVIDUALS / Communicating eHealth benefits to citizens

Scientists, like policy-makers, have to deal with facts. However, the facts need interpretation to become meaningful. And it is in our interpretation of the facts that opportunities may become visible. Consider the following:

• Fact: In the EC27 mental disorders are leading causes of disability and associated with increasing economic costs
• Concept: Mental wellbeing is vital for today’s innovative knowledge economy
• Opportunity: Promoting mental health (‘mental capital’) is an investment in social and economic prosperity
• Fact: The EC27 is one of the world’s leading regions with respect to internet usage
• Concept: New media's (such as the internet) help to spread effective eMental Health interventions on an unprecedented scale
• Opportunity: eMental Health interventions to reduce mental disorder and spread mental wellbeing can be made at once effective, acceptable, scalable and economically affordable

Can we see the opportunities? Promoting mental wellbeing is important in its own right. And it is important for the economy. After all, mental wellbeing is a long-term investment in ‘mental capital’. And mental capital is vital for today’s innovative knowledge and service economy, because people increasingly work with their heads instead of their hands. Hence, the mental health gap needs to be bridged, preferably for affordable costs. Effective psychological self-help interventions that are offered over the internet may be a key. As will be shown: these interventions are effective, scalable, and economically affordable. And can be employed for the benefit of the individual, society and the economy.

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